PRINCE ALBERT, Saskatchewan — The City of Prince Albert has named Katie Gruber as the recipient of its 2026 Lifeguard Scholarship, awarding her $2,000 in recognition of her contributions to municipal aquatic services, workplace leadership and commitment to further education.
The annual scholarship supports lifeguards who demonstrate professional dedication while pursuing academic and career development opportunities. Gruber, who has worked for the municipality since March 2025, is currently studying nursing at the University of Saskatchewan.
The award highlights the municipality’s efforts to recognize employees who contribute to public safety and community recreation while advancing their educational goals.
Prince Albert Lifeguard Scholarship Recognizes Leadership and Community Service
Established in 2023, the City of Prince Albert Lifeguard Scholarship acknowledges the achievements of municipal lifeguards both within their professional roles and beyond the workplace.
The program recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership, professionalism and a commitment to serving the community through aquatic safety and recreational programming.
Gruber has held several positions within the city’s aquatic operations, including Lifeguard, Swim Instructor and Aquatic Team Lead.
She has worked at two municipal recreational facilities, Kinsmen Water Park and the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre, where her responsibilities have included supporting swimming instruction, maintaining aquatic safety standards and contributing to daily operations.
According to the municipality, her performance across these roles reflects the qualities the scholarship was established to recognize.
Aquatics Management Highlights Gruber’s Professional Contributions
Riley Janes, Acting Aquatics Manager for the City of Prince Albert, praised Gruber’s contributions to the municipal aquatics team and her commitment to professional development.
“Katie’s dedication to her work, education and community represents exactly what this scholarship was created to recognize,” said Riley Janes, Acting Aquatics Manager. “She has made a positive impact on our aquatics team through her professionalism, commitment to safety and willingness to support those around her. Katie is a deserving recipient, and we are proud to recognize her achievements and support her continued education.”
The recognition also reflects the importance of trained aquatic personnel in delivering municipal recreation services.
Lifeguards and swimming instructors play an essential role in maintaining safe environments for residents, providing swimming education and supporting public access to recreational facilities.
Scholarship Supports Nursing Education at University of Saskatchewan
Gruber is currently pursuing nursing studies at the University of Saskatchewan, with plans to establish a career in healthcare.
Her academic direction builds on her experience in aquatic safety, where responsibilities such as emergency preparedness, communication and responding to public safety concerns require skills that are also relevant in healthcare settings.
The $2,000 scholarship will provide financial assistance as she continues her education.
For Gruber, however, the award carries significance beyond its monetary value.
“This scholarship holds more meaning to me than just financial support. It represents encouragement, confidence and belief in my future,” said Gruber. “I am profoundly appreciative and committed to making the most of this opportunity. I want to send my sincere gratitude to the City of Prince Albert and Joden Haubrich for making this possible.”
Her comments emphasize the role that workplace recognition and community support can play in encouraging students to pursue professional qualifications.
Community Contributions Help Fund Annual Scholarship
The scholarship is funded through contributions from Joden Haubrich, which are matched by the City of Prince Albert.
This funding arrangement combines private financial support with municipal contributions to assist eligible lifeguards pursuing further education.
The city acknowledged Haubrich’s continued generosity and involvement in maintaining the scholarship program.
The funding model also illustrates how partnerships between individual contributors and local governments can support employee development and educational opportunities.
Municipal Scholarship Program Continues Supporting Aquatic Employees
Since its establishment in 2023, the Lifeguard Scholarship has provided a framework for recognizing employees whose contributions extend beyond their regular responsibilities.
For Prince Albert, the initiative forms part of its recognition of aquatic staff who help deliver recreational services while pursuing long-term professional goals.
Gruber’s selection as the 2026 recipient recognizes her work at municipal aquatic facilities, leadership within the aquatics team and commitment to nursing education.
With financial support from the scholarship, she will continue her studies at the University of Saskatchewan as she prepares for a future career in healthcare.
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